War of 1812 Pension Digitization Project

The Pension Records from the War of 1812 are among the most requested documents at the National Archives. Unfortunately, these fragile documents are in urgent need of digitization. In support of this monumental task of digitizing 7.2 million pages, Ancestry.com has provided a dollar for dollar matching grant, so every dollar you contribute will make four more pages accessible and free for everyone.

Images Preserved

30% Raised

“These fragile
documents are in urgent need of digitization.”

Your contribution will make these images free for everyone.

THE MISSION

7.2M

Images to be captured

180K

Files will be saved

411K

Images now available

The National Archives reports that these War of 1812 pension files are among the heaviest requested materials. With that level of use, these valuable records, available in no other format, are in danger of grave deterioration.

FREE TO THE PUBLIC

As these valuable historical documents are digitized, they will be made available to all at no cost, and the original pension files can be retired to much less active use.

DIGITIZED IMAGES AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Completed images and associated indexing are posted incrementally. Genealogists, historians, teachers, patriotic societies, and history buffs all have access to the images that have been digitized right now. Images will be offered for free at Fold3 indefinitely.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Doubled

Dollar for dollar
matching
grant

$45

Saves
200 pages

Ancestry.com has generously stepped up and agreed to cover costs to digitize HALF of the War of 1812 pension records. So every dollar donated will actually go twice as far.

At a cost of $0.45 per digitized page, your tax-deductible gift of $45 would normally digitize 100 pages, but with the help of Ancestry.com it will digitize 200 pages. Your contributions can be made in the name of your ancestor.

Time is of the essence. These documents are fragile and need to be digitized quickly to preserve the best possible image of each page.

Donations are tax deductible.

A Community Digitization Project

Sparked by the 200th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, the genealogical community has come together for this monumental task.

PRESERVATION PATRIOTS

The Federation of Genealogical Societies has created an organization to recognize those individuals and societies who have given at least $250 to the Preserve the Pensions fund. This new organization, named the Society of Preservation Patriots, is dedicated to raising funds for preserving critical, historic records and genealogical data for future generations. Learn More

Spread the Word

Get brochures, press releases and more to spread the word about Preserve the Pensions.